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At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness.

At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. The strength of worldliness lies in the appeal of the physical. (1 John 2:15-17). At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness.

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At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness.

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  1. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • The strength of worldliness lies in the appeal of the physical. (1 John 2:15-17)

  2. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • The strength of worldliness lies in the appeal of the physical. (1 John 2:15-17) • While we have been blessed with physical possessions, these can lead to destruction.

  3. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • The strength of worldliness lies in the appeal of the physical. (1 John 2:15-17) • While we have been blessed with physical possessions, these can lead to destruction. • Look at the blessings God gave Israel and what ultimately Israel did with these blessings. (Deut 8:11-20)

  4. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • The strength of worldliness lies in the appeal of the physical. (1 John 2:15-17) • While we have been blessed with physical possessions, these can lead to destruction. • Look at the blessings God gave Israel and what ultimately Israel did with these blessings. (Deut 8:11-20) • Has God blessed us with material things today?

  5. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • How far have we come in the last 30 years in our physical wealth?

  6. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • How far have we come in the last 30 years in our physical wealth? • How far have we come in the last 30 years in our spiritual strength?

  7. At the heart of all our battles lies the struggle against worldliness. • How far have we come in the last 30 years in our physical wealth? • How far have we come in the last 30 years in our spiritual strength? • We are bombarded like never before concerning the advocates of worldly based religion. However we can win the battle! (1 John 5:3-5)

  8. Many are losing the battle with the world • Jesus tried to prepare Peter for an upcoming dreadful battle. (Lk 22:31-32; 1 Pt 5:8-9)

  9. Many are losing the battle with the world • Jesus tried to prepare Peter for an upcoming dreadful battle. (Lk 22:31-32; 1 Pt 5:8-9) • Peter was overconfident and would not listen. He was turned upside down.

  10. Many are losing the battle with the world • Jesus tried to prepare Peter for an upcoming dreadful battle. (Lk 22:31-32; 1 Pt 5:8-9) • Peter was overconfident and would not listen. He was turned upside down. • He learned from this and gained a stronger faith.

  11. Many are losing the battle with the world • Jesus tried to prepare Peter for an upcoming dreadful battle. (Lk 22:31-32; 1 Pt 5:8-9) • Peter was overconfident and would not listen. He was turned upside down. • He learned from this and gained a stronger faith. • The initial compromises come within the heart. The easy way becomes the norm.

  12. Many are losing the battle with the world • Worldliness makes you a self-centered person protecting your rights. (James 4:2-4)

  13. Many are losing the battle with the world • Worldliness makes you a self-centered person protecting your rights. (James 4:2-4) • When I hear brethren talking about the “traditional position,” “right-wing brethren,” “legalist” and many other terms of intimidation, I am concerned.

  14. Many are losing the battle with the world • Worldliness makes you a self-centered person protecting your rights. (James 4:2-4) • When I hear brethren talking about the “traditional position,” “right-wing brethren,” “legalist” and many other terms of intimidation, I am concerned. • The power of worldliness is found in relationships.

  15. Many are losing the battle with the world • The world will receive its own and punish the outsiders. (Jn 15:17-20; 1 Jn 5:5-6)

  16. Many are losing the battle with the world • The world will receive its own and punish the outsiders. (Jn 15:17-20; 1 Jn 5:5-6) • The fear of losing relationships will enslave the worldly. (Jn 9:19-23)

  17. Many are losing the battle with the world • The world will receive its own and punish the outsiders. (Jn 15:17-20; 1 Jn 5:5-6) • The fear of losing relationships will enslave the worldly. (Jn 9:19-23) • Brethren will sell you out and be cowardly when “crunch-time” comes.

  18. Many are losing the battle with the world • The world will receive its own and punish the outsiders. (Jn 15:17-20; 1 Jn 5:5-6) • The fear of losing relationships will enslave the worldly. (Jn 9:19-23) • Brethren will sell you out and be cowardly when “crunch-time” comes. • A snapshot of compromises in churches.

  19. Many are losing the battle with the world • The world will receive its own and punish the outsiders. (Jn 15:17-20; 1 Jn 5:5-6) • The fear of losing relationships will enslave the worldly. (Jn 9:19-23) • Brethren will sell you out and be cowardly when “crunch-time” comes. • A snapshot of compromises in churches. • Men who are cowards and will not stand.

  20. Many are losing the battle with the world • Compromises in dress among members (ex. Cheerleading and majorettes).

  21. Many are losing the battle with the world • Compromises in dress among members (ex. Cheerleading and majorettes). • Social drinking and proms becoming acceptable.

  22. Many are losing the battle with the world • Compromises in dress among members (ex. Cheerleading and majorettes). • Social drinking and proms becoming acceptable. • Attendance at services (Ex. Sunday morning half-marathon).

  23. Many are losing the battle with the world • Compromises in dress among members (ex. Cheerleading and majorettes). • Social drinking and proms becoming acceptable. • Attendance at services (Ex. Sunday morning half-marathon). • A refusal to deal with church problems.

  24. Many are losing the battle with the world • Local churches can become teaching grounds for worldly religion. (Col 2:18-20)

  25. Many are losing the battle with the world • Local churches can become teaching grounds for worldly religion. (Col 2:18-20) • Historically, in what churches does apostasy begin? It begins in large city churches with a higher education and wealth.

  26. Many are losing the battle with the world • Local churches can become teaching grounds for worldly religion. (Col 2:18-20) • Historically, in what churches does apostasy begin? It begins in large city churches with a higher education and wealth. • Our failure to reach out children also leaves us ripe for departures when “another generation” arises. (Ex. The Third generation) (Judges 2:7-12)

  27. The world’s view of what a local church should be • Is the church a living body directed by a living Lord (Eph 1:22-23), or is it rather a “community of people” with a common “heritage” following the direction of the current culture?

  28. The world’s view of what a local church should be • Is the church a living body directed by a living Lord (Eph 1:22-23), or is it rather a “community of people” with a common “heritage” following the direction of the current culture? • The church of our Lord exists because of the purpose of Jesus to save all men. (Luke 19:10)

  29. The world’s view of what a local church should be • His message has always been “radical”, “counter-culture”, a message that will never be appealing to the world and its values! (Lk 9:23-24; 1 Cor 2:14, 16)

  30. The world’s view of what a local church should be • His message has always been “radical”, “counter-culture”, a message that will never be appealing to the world and its values! (Lk 9:23-24; 1 Cor 2:14, 16) • The issue always before us is: “Will we be conformed or transformed?”(Rom 12:1-2)

  31. The world’s view of what a local church should be • His message has always been “radical”, “counter-culture”, a message that will never be appealing to the world and its values! (Lk 9:23-24; 1 Cor 2:14, 16) • The issue always before us is: “Will we be conformed or transformed?”(Rom 12:1-2) • What are the standards of the world?

  32. The world’s view of what a local church should be • There are three basic “standards” of the morality of the world. (Note: when any of these are the goal you can lie, cheat, etc.. as long as you meet the goal!)

  33. The world’s view of what a local church should be • There are three basic “standards” of the morality of the world. (Note: when any of these are the goal you can lie, cheat, etc.. as long as you meet the goal!) • What will work? (Utilitarian practicality)

  34. The world’s view of what a local church should be • There are three basic “standards” of the morality of the world. (Note: when any of these are the goal you can lie, cheat, etc.. as long as you meet the goal!) • What will work? (Utilitarian practicality) • What do most people accept? (Majority rule)

  35. The world’s view of what a local church should be • There are three basic “standards” of the morality of the world. (Note: when any of these are the goal you can lie, cheat, etc.. as long as you meet the goal!) • What will work? (Utilitarian practicality) • What do most people accept? (Majority rule) • Who has the strength to impose their will on everyone else? (Power Politics)

  36. The world’s view of what a local church should be • “The church which is married to the Spirit of its Age will be a widow in the next.” —William Ralph Inge (The Cultural Church F. LaGard Smith p. 75)

  37. The world’s view of what a local church should be • “The church which is married to the Spirit of its Age will be a widow in the next.” —William Ralph Inge (The Cultural Church F. LaGard Smith p. 75) • The Bible views these standards as “carnal weapons” and they must be overthrown in the heart of every Christian. (2 Cor 10:3-5)

  38. The roadmap for change in local churches • Drastic changes rarely occur in churches all at once, but rather they are gradual.

  39. The roadmap for change in local churches • Drastic changes rarely occur in churches all at once, but rather they are gradual. • There is first a lowering of standards and a weakening of teaching. Normally this first begins in the home. (2 Tim 4:3-4)

  40. The roadmap for change in local churches • Then there is a transfer of responsibility and an appeal to the flesh. Here is where changes occur that are not as obvious to the casual observer. During this period there will be a desire to hire men to serve the members while churches will seek centralized efforts to “do their duty”.

  41. The roadmap for change in local churches • Then there is a transfer of responsibility and an appeal to the flesh. Here is where changes occur that are not as obvious to the casual observer. During this period there will be a desire to hire men to serve the members while churches will seek centralized efforts to “do their duty”. • Next there will be a purging of those who would object to the minor changes.

  42. The roadmap for change in local churches • These are labeled and sent on their way.

  43. The roadmap for change in local churches • These are labeled and sent on their way. • Afterwards this cycle is repeated with ever increasing rapidity. When changes were once a crawl, they are now an avalanche.

  44. The roadmap for change in local churches • These are labeled and sent on their way. • Afterwards this cycle is repeated with ever increasing rapidity. When changes were once a crawl, they are now an avalanche. • The final end is “mainstream” denominationalism. (Example: The Disciples of Christ Denomination)

  45. The roadmap for change in local churches • There is the danger of “reactionary apostasy.” (Heb 12:15; Gal 5:15, James 3:16)

  46. The roadmap for change in local churches • There is the danger of “reactionary apostasy.” (Heb 12:15; Gal 5:15, James 3:16) • Many times they can actually see problems that need attention among us.

  47. The roadmap for change in local churches • There is the danger of “reactionary apostasy.” (Heb 12:15; Gal 5:15, James 3:16) • Many times they can actually see problems that need attention among us. • Sadly their “cure” is worse than the disease.

  48. The roadmap for change in local churches • Some put confidence in these me by their ability to accurately diagnose a problem and tell us what we should become. Sadly brethren do not ask if his “solutions” will get them there!

  49. The roadmap for change in local churches • “When we have needless bickering and worldliness in the church, we will see men weakened by this and thus he will be more likely to follow a man who appeals to the flesh. “Here is a situation that isn't hypothetical. It is common, thus Worthy of our attention.

  50. The roadmap for change in local churches • In a local church where there is a history of objection to the sponsoring church arrangement and other unauthorized innovations, war breaks out. Brethren "bite and devour one another," and the ugly/ result is "envy and self-seeking . . . confusion and every evil thing" (Gal. 5:15; Jas. 3:16).

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